HowStuffWorks Authors

These are the talented people on the HowStuffWorks team who contribute articles to the site. If you have comments on an author's article, you can submit your comments via e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you!

Tracy V. Wilson, Editorial DirectorTracy V. Wilson joined HowStuffWorks.com as a staff writer in 2005 and now manages the site's editorial team. She holds a B.A. in literature and language with concentrations in literature and creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Julie Douglas, Managing EditorJulie Douglas received her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in drama and is currently an M.F.A. creative writing candidate at Georgia State University.

Allison Loudermilk, Senior Editor
Allison Loudermilk earned her B.A. in environmental science from Barnard College and has a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia.

Ben Bowlin, Writer
Ben Bowlin holds a BA in English and creative writing from Georgia State University, and studies International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Charles W. Bryant, Senior WriterCharles W. Bryant earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia.

Joshua M. Clark, Senior WriterJosh Clark studied history and anthropology at the University of Georgia.

Robert Lamb, Senior WriterRobert Lamb holds a B.A. in creative writing from the University of Tennessee.

Jonathan Strickland, Senior WriterJonathan Strickland holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia.

Cristen Conger, Senior Writer
Cristen Conger holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.

Sherri Larsen, Social Media Editor
Sherri Larsen studied electronic arts at the Atlanta College of Art, and earned a B.A. in film studies and an M.A. in communication with emphasis in film, video and digital imaging from Georgia State University.

Lauren Vogelbaum, Editor
Lauren Vogelbaum received a bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Japanese and women’s studies from the University of Florida.

Kathryn Whitbourne, Editor
Kathryn Whitbourne has a Communications degree from Cornell University and was previously a magazine editor and an editorial supervisor at PR Newswire.

Amanda Arnold, Contributing Editor
Amanda Arnold holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Georgia State University.

Kiersten Aschauer, Contributing WriterA former programming director and freelance writer, Kiersten's work has been seen in publications from The Asian Wall Street Journal and Boston Globe to Best Women's Travel Writing.

Marshall Brain, Founder
Marshall Brain is the founder of HowStuffWorks. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree in computer science from North Carolina State University. Before founding HowStuffWorks, Marshall taught in the computer science department at NCSU and ran a software training and consulting company. Learn more at his site.

Josh Briggs, Contributing Writer
Originally from Northern California, Josh holds a bachelors degree in print journalism from Georgia State University. In addition to writing for the auto channel at HowStuffWorks, Josh is the sports editor for The Covington News in suburban Atlanta.

Nathan Chandler, Contributing Writer
Nathan Chandler is a freelance writer and photographer based in Lincoln, Neb. He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and has researched and written about consumer tech for more than 10 years.

Tiffany Connors, Contributing Writer
Tiffany Connors holds a B.S. in journalism from Bowling Green State University. In addition to writing for HowStuffWorks, she is the television blog editor for the New York Post.

Deblina Chakraborty, Contributing Editor
Deblina Chakraborty holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Alabama and an M.A. in publishing and writing from Emerson College.

Alison E. Cooper, Contributing Writer
Alison Cooper holds a B.A. in English from the University of Richmond.

Dave Coustan, Contributing Writer
Dave Coustan holds a B.A. in religion from Columbia University and an M.A. in new media from Emerson College.

Stephanie Crawford, Contributing Writer
Stephanie Crawford is a technical writer from Raleigh, N.C. She has a degree in mathematics education and a minor in computer programming from North Carolina State University. During her career, Stephanie has been a middle school math teacher, an instructor in Linux system administration and a developer for technical training courses.

Sarah Dowdey, Contributing Editor
Sarah Dowdey holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia.

Laurie L. Dove, Contributing Writer
Laurie L. Dove began as a newspaper reporter, then built a career as a freelance journalist and editor for national magazines. She has been the owner and publisher of a magazine and newspaper, and is the author of several books. She earned a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts with a Mass Media emphasis from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., and is pursuing a master's degree.

Molly Edmonds, Contributing Writer
Molly Edmonds holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing and political science from Emory University, where she also minored in Italian.

Shanna Freeman, Contributing Writer
Shanna Freeman is a freelance writer and former senior editor at HowStuffWorks. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of West Georgia.

Craig C. Freudenrich, Ph.D., Contributing Writer
Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D., is a freelance science writer and former senior editor at HowStuffWorks. He earned a B.A. in biology from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine before completing eight years of postdoctoral research at Duke University Medical Center.

John Fuller, Contributing EditorJohn Fuller holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia, where he also minored in film studies.

Nicholas Gerbis, Contributing Writer
Nicholas Gerbis is an independent science journalist, editor and teacher. He earned his Master of Science degree in geography (climatology) from University of Delaware and a Master of Mass Communication degree (journalism) from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. He is currently an adjunct professor at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he teaches courses on science history and science fiction.

Kristen Hall-Geisler, Contributing Writer
Kristen Hall-Geisler has been an automotive journalist since 2002 and has written about everything from electric car racing to exotic car test drives to the intricate insides of engines. She's also the author of "Take the Wheel," a car-buying guide for women, published September 2013.

Ed Grabianowski, Contributing Writer
Ed Grabianowski is a freelance writer from Buffalo, N.Y. He previously worked as a newspaper reporter and attended school at SUNY Plattsburgh and Kansas State University.

Tom Harris, Contributing Writer
Tom Harris holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

William Harris,Contributing Writer
William Harris is a freelance writer stationed near Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Virginia Tech and a master's degree in science education from Florida State University.

Jennifer Hord, Contributing Writer
Jennifer Hord is the director for publishing operations for HowStuffWorks. She holds an M.A. in English with a concentration in rhetoric and composition from the University of South Florida.

Alia Hoyt, Contributing Writer
Alia Hoyt is a freelance writer living in Atlanta, Ga. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism with a major in public relations from the University of Georgia. She has been published by such outlets as CNN, Yahoo! Shine, Animal Planet, TLC and upwave.

Matt Hunt, Contributing Writer
Matt Hunt holds a bachelor's degree in studio art from the University of Georgia.

Melissa Jeffries, Contributing Writer
Melissa Jeffries holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She worked as a writer and editor in New York and Atlanta before going back to school to become a physician assistant.­­

Ryan Johnson, Contributing Editor
Ryan Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.

Candace Keener, Contributing Editor
Candace Keener received her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in English and her master's degree from Wake Forest University in English.

Kate Kershner, Contributing Writer
Kate Kershner has a degree in creative writing from Western Washington University.

Patrick Kiger, Contributing Writer
Patrick J. Kiger has written for publications ranging from GQ and Mother Jones to the Los Angeles Times. He also is a blogger for the AARP, National Geographic News and the National Geographic Channel. From 2007 to 2013 he was a blogger for the Science Channel. He also is the co-author of two books on American pop culture and the origins of trends.

Katie Lambert, Contributing Writer
Katie Lambert holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia.

Cherise LaPine, Contributing Writer
Cherise is a freelance writer living in Chicago and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Saint Michael's College

­Cameron Lawrence, Contributing Writer
Cameron Lawrence holds a B.A. in creative writing from the University of Arizona.

Julia Layton, Contributing Writer
Julia Layton holds a B.A. in English literature from Duke University and a M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Miami.

Chanel Lee, Contributing Editor
Chanel Lee holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University.

Jane McGrath, Contributing Writer
Jane McGrath holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Winifred Fordham Metz, Contributing Writer
Winifred Fordham Metz is a media librarian who holds a B.A. in English Literature and Master of library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.­

Katherine Neer, Contributing EditorKatherine Neer holds a B.A. in Afro-American studies and a B.S. in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University.

Lee Ann Obringer, Contributing Writer
Lee Ann Obringer holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and advertising with an outside concentration in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In­ addition to writing for HowStuffWorks, she works as a freelance marketing communications consultant and designer.

Chris Opfer, Contributing Writer
Chris Opfer is a journalist, lawyer and bathroom graffiti enthusiast living in Washington D.C. In addition to writing for HowStuffWorks, he's also covered news, business, sports and music for a variety of print and digital publications.

John Perritano, Contributing Writer
John Perritano is an award-winning journalist, writer and editor from Southbury, Connecticut. He holds a master’s degree in American history from Western Connecticut State University.

John Postley, Contributing Writer
John Postley is a graduate of Vassar College with a degree in art history.

­Debra Ronca, Contributing Writer
Debra Ronca holds a B.A. in English from The College of New Jersey.

­Dave­ Roos, Contributing Writer
Dave Roos is a freelance writer and organic farmer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. He holds a B.A. in religion from Duke University.

Meisa Salaita, Contributing Writer
Meisa Salaita received her Ph.D. in chemistry from Northwestern University. In addition to her role writing science articles, she is one of the co-founders of the Atlanta Science Festival.

Tom Scheve, Contributing Writer
Tom Scheve is a freelance writer living­ in Asheville, N.C. He has a background in newspaper publishing and studied English and Journalism at the University of Georgia and East Tennessee State University.­

­Jacob Silverman, Contributing Writer­
Jacob holds a B.A. in English and creative writing from Emory University, where he also studied Russian and history.

Jessika E. Toothman, Contributing Writer
Jessika Toothman pursued a double major from Georgia State University, earning a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in Spanish with a concentration in international business.

Victoria Vogt, Contributing Editor
Tori Vogt earned a bachelor's degree in communication with emphasis in journalism, public relations and advertising from Temple University. She holds an M.B.A. in Accounting from Grand Canyon University.

Stephanie Watson,Contributing Writer
Stephanie Watson has a degree in mass communications from Boston University. She has written nearly two dozen books on a variety of subjects, including nutrition, genetics and the environment. Stephanie is also a regular contributor to several consumer health publications.

Melanie Winderlich, Contributing Editor Melanie Winderlich holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.

Carrie Williford, Contributing Writer
Carrie Williford holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.